Big Island households receive 182 energy-efficient fridges, freezers through trade-up program

A refrigerator swap on Hawaiʻi Island is expected to trim about 133,690 kilowatt-hours from local electricity use each year, with 182 energy-efficient fridges and freezers now in homes across Hilo, Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala. Spread evenly, that works out to roughly 735 kilowatt-hours a year per appliance, or about 61 kilowatt-hours a month.

Hawaiʻi Energy said eligible households could trade in a working refrigerator or freezer for a new ENERGY STAR model for as little as $250. Participants also had to turn over their old unit so it could be permanently removed from service and recycled, a step designed to lock in the savings instead of letting another power-hungry appliance stay in circulation. In some eligible communities, the program can also include delivery, installation and haul-away at no cost.

The appeal is simple on Big Island electric bills. Hawaiʻi’s residential electricity prices remained far above the U.S. average in January 2026, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration has said residential electric bills in the state are among the highest in the country. That makes efficiency upgrades more than a climate talking point. For families trying to control monthly costs, replacing an old fridge or freezer can cut one of the most persistent loads in the home.

Hawaiʻi Energy said its Accessibility & Affordability initiative is aimed at households facing the highest energy burdens, which is why the trade-up model matters most for residents who may not be able to cover the full upfront cost of a new appliance. The program is first-come, first-served and depends on available funding, so the window to benefit can close quickly when the money runs out.

The Big Island rollout also fits into a broader statewide push. Since 2022, Hawaiʻi Energy says its Appliance Trade-Up Program has helped more than 1,200 households, produced more than 1 million kilowatt-hours in first-year savings and more than 8.45 million kilowatt-hours in projected lifetime savings. Similar trade-up events have already been launched in West Honolulu, seven Honolulu communities and Lānaʻi, and current residential rebates run through June 30, 2026. For Hawaiʻi Island households, that means the latest appliance swap is part of an ongoing efficiency effort, not a one-time giveaway, with more chances likely to appear while funding remains available.